Who is it Behind the Veil?

Ever wonder what the women are really like that lie 'hidden' beneath the ubiquitous veil (seen even on the streets of cities here in 'Bible Belt, USA'!)? A recent European intern shares her experience in this regard, and something about the 'veil' over her own eyes:

I had heard that the immigrant population of a certain UK city* was significant, but I couldn’t really imagine what that meant, until I landed at the airport—I could have been in Pakistan, Bangladesh—or the Middle East, for that matter! An hour and a half before, I had been surrounded with German friends and family, but now I didn’t even have the feeling I was in Europe at all. And talk about variety!—I was surrounded by men in their white sherwanis, women in their colourful, traditional Pakistani dresses, or covered completely in a black abaya and veil. I realized immediately that there is a big difference between talking about Muslims, and actually being among them. But I got used to it quickly and was really thrilled to be able to experience so much of Arab and Indian culture in the middle of the UK.

Being in the Internship Program presented me with opportunities to contact Muslims and get to know how they think. I was able to make friends with two ladies especially and enjoy their hospitality. One of them invited me to her house one evening to celebrate an iftar, an evening meal that comes at sundown, after Muslims have done without food or drink for the day during the month of fasting, or Ramadan. As we sat on the floor around a rug (which served as our table), I learned to reach in to the food using only my right hand. 

Another friend invited me one day to her madrasa, or 'Koran school.' The cordial, and even sometimes cheerful and amusing atmosphere surprised me--up until that point, their full-body coverings had placed an aura of mystery around them that made them feel 'distant' to me. I had often wished I could peer behind their seemingly impenetrable veils, but on this particular day, I began to get a fresh view of them in two different ways. For one thing, I could actually see their faces--and the accompanying emotions. (Headscarves were allowed to disappear in this setting.) But I also began to see beyond faces, into personalities. There were the shy ones, yes, but also the spirited, cheerful ladies. The barriers in my own soul began to fall. 

My love for Muslims has grown in this time. I've gotten to understand them better, and slowly been able to talk with them about my own faith. And in general I've been able to gain valuable experience that I would never have guessed possible--even 'next door' in England!

*The name of the city is withheld for security reasons.